Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot Lt fakes the handoff and rolls the QB left on a play-action bootleg out of Pistol Strong Slot, using the run fake to hold linebackers and freeze the edge before the pocket flows away from the play side action. Off the fake, two vertical routes cross deep from the left side while a third receiver runs a deep out breaking to the boot flow, and the fullback releases into a flat route underneath along the same side as the rollout for a checkdown. The primary read progression starts with the crossing routes for a shot play against man coverage, then works down to the deep out, and finally to the flat route as the outlet if the pocket collapses.
Defensive Reads
Watch for man coverage indicators like press corners or bump alignment on the crossing routes, since this concept is built to beat man with natural picks and separation off the crosses. Zone shells with linebackers sitting in short curl or hook zones can take away the flat route and force the QB to hold the ball longer, creating a coverage sack opportunity if the edge is not contained. Key the strong side defensive end and outside linebacker pre-snap, if they crash hard on run fakes without discipline the boot lane opens up for QB scrambles as a built in checkdown. Post-snap, user a linebacker or safety to lurk the deep out route since that is the likely progression against zone drops that clog the crossers. Blitz packages that bring pressure from the backside away from the boot direction are the most dangerous defensive answer, since they can chase down the QB before the crossers develop.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in play-action friendly counts like second and short to keep the run fake believable and hold linebackers in the box.
Check safety depth before the snap, if you see two deep safeties sitting still at the snap the run fake likely will not pull them, so lean on the crossing routes instead of expecting a busted coverage shot.
Roll out with the QB using the boot mechanic and keep your eyes on the far crosser first since it stresses man defenders who have to trail across the field.
If the defense jumps the crossers with underneath zone drops, work the deep out route since it sits in the void behind the shortened zone.
Pair this with HB Power O or HB Zone from the same set to sell the run fake tendencies, then call PA Boot Lt once the defense starts flowing hard to the strong side run action.
